The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-01-27

prisoned twenty months in andre scoggin
iail for debt. 1t is question whether his
story as told the committee is an argument
for or against Imprisonment. While King
was absent from the State some one got an
execution against him for an honest debt,
and secured Judgment, King refused to nav
because he was out Of the State when the
Judgment was secured. So he was imprison-
ed. ~
the committee.
sSixty-four dollars" replied King.
sHow long were you In lail?'
"Twenty weeks, said King.
sHow much did it cost you for lawyers
fees, etc, to keep from paying that Soap
1.-Two hundred and fifty dollars" replied
the hero and martyr OF debt.
Today considerable comment has been
made on what Kinmond of Saccarappa, said
YESTERDAY. He was the man who broke
down crying before the committee because
According to his own story he owed the debt
to his mother for board Of his boy, and she
it was who invoked the law and trusteed his
wages.
These stories, however, are not fair sam
Piles of the arguments made In favor Of abol-
ition. There is a general sentiment that
some change must be made, and the advo-
Gates of the change are earnest men who
will press energetically whatever good
measures the committee may report
Mayor Chapman before Committees.
This afternoon Mayor Chapman and Judge
Symonds, City Solicitor, went before the
committee on ways and bridges, to whom the
bills relating to Pride's and Stroudwater
bridges had been referred. Hon. III. b.
Cleaves was present for the town OF Deer
ing. No action was taken today, but the
committee arranged to goto Portland Safhr-
day and examine the premises. Then ON
next Tuesday the hearing will be held.
Mayor Chapman also appeared before the
railroad committee and presented the amend
ments which he wished to have made in the
Portland a. Rochester bill. These amend
ments are those adopted by the City Govern
of Monday morning. The committee ac-
cepted the amendments and appointed sub
committee to make new draft of the bill
and report it favorably to the Legislature.
In its amended form the bill will secure to
the Mayor and Aldermen of the city the con-
troll of the principal changes which the rail-
road proposes to make within the limits of
the city.
other Committee Hearings.
The committee on legal affairs have decid-
ed to report favorably the bill to allow to the
Temporary Home at Deering the right to
bind out children under its care; also on the
bill to legalize the doings of the town of
Gorham in assessing certain taxes in 1855
and 1856; also on the bill to allow the town
of Greenwood to refund its bonded debt;
also on the bill to extend the charter of the
saltwater Bridge Company; also on the bill
that all wire fences shall have top rail.
The judiciary committee gave a prolonged
audinence to Hon. A. w. Paine of Bangor,
this afternoon. Mr.. Paine advocated a
measure to repeal the nisi clause of the di-
vOrce law so that divorce shall be absolute
the moment it is granted, and so that the
parties TO 1t may marry again Immediately.
At present divorce is not absolute for six
months, and then neither party can marry
again within two years without the permis-
sion of the judge. Mr. Paine's bill does
away with the judges authority after the di-
vorce is once granted, and makes the di-
vorce absolute at once. The judiciary COM
mittee feel very favorable to these changes,
and will probably report Mr.. Paine's bill
But Mr.. Paine made his greatest effort on
his famous bill to provide for voting by
proxy. He argued with them steadily for
about an hour and half This judiciary
committee have made no decision, but 1t is
safe to say that the voting at the next cleo
The committee on elections did not hear
the case of Scott VS., Scott for the seat of the
Clifton class, because the claimant to John
Scotts seat did not appear as was expected,
to present his claims. Meanwhile John
Scott remains in cOntended possession.
The committee on Insane Hospital met
to-day and talked over the needs of the in
stitution. Senators Sleeper and Libbey and
Representative W0odman were appointed a
subcommittee to visit the institution and in
vestigate its needs The managers of the
hospital are very anxious for more room, as
the increase in the number of patients is
greater every year. At present they are
very much crowded.
The committee ON railroads have voted to
report favorably the bill to charter q railroad
from Scarboro Beach to Prout's Neck. 5. l..
Larrabee, Esq, of Portland, appeared in be-
half of the incorporators. The consideration
of the petition for q charter of Ia road from
Sebag0 Lake to Mechanic Falls was post
poned. Hon. j. III. Drummond appeared to
ask favorable action on proposition to al
lOwia change of location in the road from
Kittery to York Beach; but the committee
decided to hold public hearing before act
ing.
The committee ON agriculture have decided
that the Secretary of the Board of Agricul-
ture should be elected by the board and not
be appointed by the Governor; and so will
report legislation inexpedient on the propo-
sition to give the appointment to the Cover
nor.
The committee on fisheries and game have
voted to report favorably a bill to prevent
fishing of any kind in the Damariscotta river
above the railroad bridge and Goose Rock.
On petition for the abolition of close time
below this bridge, which came over from the
last Legislature the committee have voted
legislation inexpedient.
PortIand's Municipal Judge.
The appointment of municipal judge for
Portland begins to be a subject of interest
here. Judge Gould is spoken Of as the lead
ing candidate; other candidates are Hiram
Knowlton, Esq, and Daniel Fessenden, Esq.
Taxation of Savings Banks.
This evening, Hon. A. w. Paine of Bangor
concluded his days work with the commit
tees by going before the banking committee
to urge that the law relating to savings
banks be amended so that those securities
which are exempt from State taxation when
in the hands of private individuals shall also
be exempt when held by savings banks. The
committee came to no decision, but laid the
matter on the table until week from Fri
day evening, when general hearing will be
held.
Notes.
Skowhegan thinks she has grown large
enough for municipal court, and Mr.. Wal
ton presented this forenoon bill to estab-
lish one.
James Frank Holland and others of Houl-
ton petition that they be constituted a cor
poration to maintain q system of sewers and
drainage for the village Of Houlton.
E. f. De Camp, III. X. Adams and A. f.
Disosway want a charter to operate "a street
railway in Calais for 80 years. They pro-
pose to call their company the Calais City
Railway Company, and put its capital stock
at 100000 in shares of $40 each.
Mr.. Allen of Alfred, today presented a
bill to provide that at the annual town meet
ings to be held in March, 1888. the voters
shall chose their selectmen, one for one year,
one for two and one for three years; : and
that each year after, one shall be chosen to
serve for three years. This would constant
ly leave two experienced men on the board
of selectmen every year, and prevent the
election iof three men unacquainted with
town business all at once.
The town of Cumberland includes Great
Chebeague, Hope Bangs, Sturdiyant's. Min